FAQ - Perimenopause Symptoms Perimenopause: What is it? Perimenopause: How Long does it last? Will Perimenopause Affect Me if I Have Suffered From Depression in the Past? What sort of Perimenopause Symptoms Should I Expect? What Causes Hot Flashes? Could My Mood Swings Be Explained by changes in My Hormones? How Can I Prevent or Relieve Perimenopause Symptoms? Are Heavy Periods and Bleeding After Sex Normal During Perimenopause? Is It Possible to Get Pregnant During Perimenopause? Perimenopause: What is it? This is the period of time that leads up to menopause. Menopause is when you no longer have menstrual periods (and have not had them for a year). During this period of perimenopause, your body stops creating as much estrogen and progesterone as it had previously. Perimenopause: How Long does it last? The length of perimenopause varies for every woman. Most women experience menopause sometime between the ages of 45 and 55, but perimenopause can begin much earlier. Some women can experience perimenopause as young as 35. Perimenopause can last anywhere from only a few months and up to a few years. There is no way of predicting how long it will last for any given woman. Will Perimenopause Affect Me if I Have Suffered From Depression in the Past? It is possible that if you have previously suffered from depression, this could be affected by the onset of perimenopause. While depression is not a symptom of perimenopause, pre-existing conditions could be aggravated by perimenopause. What sort of Perimenopause Symptoms Should I Expect? There are several perimenopause symptoms which you may experience, to varying levels of difficulty. Some of these perimenopause symptoms would be: Menstrual Cycle Changes (Missed periods, longer periods, shorter periods, heavier periods, lighter periods) Night Sweats Hot Flashes Sleep Problems Mood Swings Vaginal Dryness Pain During or After Sexual Intercourse Urinary Incontinence Increased Risk of Urinary Infection Changes in Sex Drive Body Changes (Such as Increasing Body Fat Around Waist) Memory and Concentration Problems What Causes Hot Flashes? It is not fully known what happens to cause hot flashes. A hot flash is when the upper part of your body suddenly gets very hot. It is theorized that these flashes are changed by the various fluctuations of hormones in your body during perimenopause. It is one of the most common perimenopause symptoms. In order to reduce your risk of hot flashes, it is recommended to stay out of hot weather, as well as avoid the eating of spicy foods and drinking caffeine or alcohol. Could My Mood Swings Be Explained by changes in My Hormones? There are a number of factors that can result in mood swings and other mood changes. However, mood swings are among the list of perimenopause symptoms. As the levels of hormones in your body change, it is possible that this could cause you to feel changes in mood in conjunction with these hormone fluctuations. Some researchers believe that it is not the hormonal changes but rather your reaction to other perimenopause symptoms, such as insomnia, hot flashes, etc., that result in emotional mood swings. Here is a list of some other factors that can lead to increased depression and/or anxiety: Having a history of depression Negative feelings related to getting older and menopause An increase in stress levels Smoking Suffering from severe perimenopause symptoms Lack of Physical Activity Relationship problems Job troubles or unemployment Money problems Low levels of self-esteem Lack of proper social support Regret over loss of ability to get pregnant How Can I Prevent or Relieve Perimenopause Symptoms? Keep a record of the symptoms you experience and what you were doing when you experienced them. This might help you figure out what is triggering these perimenopause symptoms from occurring. Keep a record of your menstrual cycle, noting any unusual fluctuations. Try to be more physically active. Keep a record of your BMI (Body Mass Index) and try to keep it within normal levels. Keep your body mass index (BMI) at a normal level. You can go to this page to learn more about your BMI: www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/bmicalc.htm. To friends or family members who are currently experiencing perimenopause symptoms or have already gone through menopause. Most likely they are dealing with or have dealt with many of the same things you are currently going through. Try adding something new to your activities list, such as volunteering or enrolling in a class Vaginal lubricants can help with vaginal dryness and decrease pain during sexual intercourse Try dressing in layers. When you start getting warm, you can take off a layer. Try to avoid going out in hot temperatures and eating spicy foods, caffeine and alcohol. If suffering from anxiety or depression talk with your doctor. You can also consult with your doctor on relieving other perimenopause symptoms. Are Heavy Periods and Bleeding After Sex Normal During Perimenopause? It is true that changes in menstrual cycle such as heavy periods, as well as irregular bleeding can be caused by perimenopause. However it is possible these irregularities are not caused by perimenopause. It is recommended you consult your doctor if: Bleeding lasts for more than 7 days Bleeding is exceedingly heavy and/or comes out in clots You experience spotting and/or bleeding in between your periods You experience vaginal bleeding after sex Is It Possible to Get Pregnant During Perimenopause? As long as you are experiencing your menstrual cycle, it is possible to get pregnant. If you are concerned about getting pregnant, you should continue to use birth control during perimenopause. It is important to note that birth control methods such as pills, implants, shots or even diaphragms are not protection against STDs. The best method of protection against STDs during sexual intercourse is to ensure your partner wears a condom and/or other barrier methods. Also it's possible to make your face look better - check out the acnezine before and after pictures, one woman there overcame perimenopause.